POTD: Keeping Your Nose Above

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… Flowers.

This little hydrant has some friends for the summer!

Robin Feeding Frenzy

>When we moved into our house six years ago, we were amazed that the holly trees were higher than our two-story roofline. Bright red berries filled the trees during the holidays, providing a natural decoration to keep us in the spirit.

On a cold and snow covered day in February, masses of American Robins descended on the trees in a complete frenzy, just like a riot. Over the course of three days, they lived in the trees on our property and ate every berry while a squirrel screamed at them. Our toddler and infant son spent hours looking out the window at the commotion. We decided that the robins must have been very hungry and could not get to the worms due to the snow.

However, this phenomenon happens every year in February. This was the week! The berries were numerous and now they are all gone.

Since both my kids were home sick, I spent the week in the house and could keep close tabs on the activity. The robins always start at the top of the tree and work their way down. They don’t mind being together in close proximity to each other. Our vehicles and the ground are covered in droppings. They make a big mess! The squirrels didn’t get upset until today, when the berries were almost gone. I guess they are willing to share but not lose all of the food.

When I went outside, several robins would fly down at me as a warning to keep away from their stash. The loud noise from all those birds filled the air. Hundreds of birds dashed this way and that.

Do the robins do this to other holly trees in Rockville during the winter? Have they been to your neighborhood? Do you expect them to visit?

You can report robin sightings to Journey North.

POTD: Path

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Even with the weather, this hardy stuff seems to keep hanging on. Well, it was a few days ago. Anyway, this pathway reminds me of the coast of Mendocino, California, and a place called Sea Ranch where I spent a weekend once.

POTD: Blue Flower

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(With apologies to Mazzy Star.) Not entirely blue, but I just wanted to use the title! Some of our readers will know why.

Think Fondly Of Your Garden And Scour Your Hard Drive

>Rockville Central reader Kathleen Harris has passed along information about an interesting photography contest being run by Washington Gardener. She noticed a lot of photographs on our site and thought we might be interested. I also know there are a lot of gardeners among our readership, so it all works out well!

Here is the info:

Enter the Second Annual Washington Gardener Photo Contest and have a chance of getting your winning images published! Whether your take the photos in your own backyard, a nearby public garden, or while visiting friends and family in their local gardens, there are so many wonderful photographic opportunities to be found in our region. Let’s show off the best in DC-area gardening!

This year we have added a new entry category for a total of three classifications:

• Garden Views: Beautiful, dramatic, or unusual perspectives of a garden landscape, including wide shots showing the setting. Subject can be a private or public garden.
• Small Wonders: Tight close-up images or macro shots of a single flowers, plant parts, fruits, vegetables, etc. Subject can be photographed in a private or public garden.
• Garden Creatures: Images of insects, birds, frogs, domestic pets, etc. in a private or public garden setting.

This contest offers an opportunity for all levels of photographers to present their best shots of gardens in the greater Washington, DC area. Contest entries will be judged on technical quality, composition, originality, and artistic merit. More than $500 in prizes will be awarded!

For the full details and entry form, see this page (PDF).

Better hurry: You can only submit photos between January 1 and January 19, 2008.

POTD: Climbing

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My eye is always drawn by this little decoration.

POTD: For The Birds

> (With apologies to Juliana Hatfield.) I love this little birdhouse. It’s near Peg Sante Park.

POTD: Smooching

> This is about the finest representation of little Dutch folks smooching that I have seen in the neighborhood. This specimen is in the Woodley Garden area.

POTD: Fishing? Cheering?

> Been meaning to highlight this little guy for a while…but what is he doing?

POTD: Pretty

> Pretty, huh?

POTD: Pop!

>This is one vibrant flower.

POTD: Cock O' The Walk

> I found this little guy hiding in the front yard of a fairly new home.